Renowned author returns to Harper

Celebrated author T.C. Boyle has been more than a casual visitor to Harper College. He's taught on campus, stepping in to take over literature classes on his two most recent visits.

Boyle, whose close relationship with the college led Professor Greg Herriges and colleague Tom Knoff to produce an award-winning documentary on the author's work in 2008, will make his third trip to Harper this month. He'll read from his latest book, "San Miguel," at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 19, in the Building J Theatre, Room J143, on the main campus, 1200 W. Algonquin Road, in Palatine.

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"San Miguel," Boyle's 14th novel, is the story of two families who occupy their own island at different times. A previous book, "The Road to Wellville," was turned into a 1994 movie starring Anthony Hopkins and John Cusack.

"T.C. Boyle is one of the most innovative and successful authors of fiction writing today," says Herriges, who considers him an inspiration both in the classroom and as a writer. "He stretches the boundaries of what we writer and educators traditionally thought literature could do, and he does it with humor, insight and biting irony."

Boyle, who lives near Santa Barbara, Calif., is a distinguished professor of English at the University of Southern California, and is also the author of "Drop City," "After the Plague" and "When the Killing's Done," as well as several short story collections.

"Boyle brings excitement to the stage when he appears at Harper, because he is not just a reader of fiction -- he is a performance artist," Herriges said. "He enjoys bringing his tales to life, and he lives them in front of us. Each time he visits, he inspires and delights the audience with his passion for literature and the creative process."

Tickets for the reading are $12 for general admission, and $8 for senior citizens. Contact the box office, (847) 925-6100 or www.harpercollege.edu/boxoffice.

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